A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Audio Technica ATH M20X headphones are a good choice if you're looking for durable, wired over-ear headphones that offer great overall sound quality and a more immersive audio experience for TV and video. They have a long cable, but are not as comfortable for long periods and are not designed for exercise or travel due to their size and lack of portability. On the other hand, the Google Pixel Buds A Series are wireless earbuds optimized for both Android and Apple, with a low latency mode that's suitable for gaming, a comfortable fit, and a compact design great for exercise or travel. They also have a good microphone for calls and meetings, and although they aren't as immersive for TV and video, they provide adequate sound and are easier to carry around. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Audio Technica ATH M20X
- Good for music
Advantages of the Google Pixel Buds A Series
- Very good for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
- Good for exercise
- Good for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
7.6
6.4
The Audio Technica ATH M20X is good for music, while the Google Pixel Buds A Series is only fair.
Gaming
6.2
8.6
The Google Pixel Buds A Series is very good for gaming, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.3
8.5
The Google Pixel Buds A Series is very good for phone calls, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.7
8.4
The Google Pixel Buds A Series is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X is only fair.
Noise Reduction
6.0
4.6
The Audio Technica ATH M20X is only fair for noise reduction, while the Google Pixel Buds A Series is poor.
Battery
N/A
5.0 Hours
The Audio Technica ATH M20X does not have a battery. The Google Pixel Buds A Series has 5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$49
$58
$0
$20
$40
$60
$80
$100
The Audio Technica ATH M20X has a price of $49 and the Google Pixel Buds A Series costs $58.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Headphones
Find your new headphones
Key similarities
TV and Video
7.6
7.8
The Google Pixel Buds A Series and Audio Technica ATH M20X are both good for TV and video.
Build Quality
6.9
7.4
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Google Pixel Buds A Series to have good build quality, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X has only fair build quality.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Audio Technica ATH M20X and the Google Pixel Buds A Series compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M20X | Google Pixel Buds A Series |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$49 | $58 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2014 | June 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.6/10 | 6.4/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.2/10 | 8.7/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.7/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.1/10 | 7.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1.3 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 24 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6/10 | 4.6/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 6.9/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 5.8/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Medium | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 190 Grams | 5.1 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Shopping
Audio Technica ATH M20X
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Soundguys
Jasper Lastoria | September 2023
"Audio-Technica positively defies what you can expect for around $50. Ultimately, Audio-Technica did not design the ATH-M20x to go on the subway with you. It’s for the budget-conscious, do-it-yourself producer, podcaster, or studio that needs to buy tracking cans in bulk. If you don’t need the most deluxe, comfortable headphones, maybe you’ll like the ATH-M20x for its spartan functionality. The headphones are aimed at giving you the minimum requirements without it feeling like a sacrifice."
Google Pixel Buds A Series
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Jasper Lastoria | October 2022
"For the person who doesn’t want to think about their earphones while using them, Google has created the Pixel Buds A-Series. For a reasonable price, Google packs in a bevy of features like touch controls and a good fit into this Android-friendly set of earbuds to make productivity and life easier."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica ATH M20X or the Google Pixel Buds A Series
About Audio Technica
Audio Technica is a 60-year-old, Japan-based, professional audio equipment manufacturer. They started off making phonograph cartridges and have expanded their scope of products ever since to include extremely popular models of microphones and headphones. They have been the official audio equipment supplier of several editions of the Summer and Winter Olympics and every edition of the Grammy Awards since 1998.
About Google
Mainly known as the most popular search engine on the planet, Google is a multinational technology company that also offers a variety of audio-oriented products. Beside their smart speakers under the Nest product line, Google offers several models of true wireless earbuds under the Pixel line, some of which happen to be an affordable but very powerful option for those already in the Android ecosystem.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Earbuds or Headphones guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
Compare Audio Technica ATH M20X vs. Koss Porta Pro
VS
Compare Audio Technica ATH M20X vs. Sennheiser CX300S
VS
Compare Audio Technica ATH M20X vs. Sennheiser HD 400S
VS
Compare Google Pixel Buds A Series vs. JBL Live Free NC+
VS
Compare Google Pixel Buds A Series vs. JBL Tune Flex
VS
Compare Google Pixel Buds A Series vs. Koss Porta Pro (with mic)
VS
FAQs
FAQs about earbuds and headphones
Why trust us
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
By the numbers
108
Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
127,700
Recommendations made
19,155
Consumer hours saved
About the Earbuds or Headphones team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Luis Torres
Earbuds and Headphones Expert
Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.
Featured in
